FAQ : Custom banners and flags

Manufacturing Details

Our cororate flags are made of resistant nylon. We use ultra-resistant, anti-UV polyester thread for sewing the flag.

The flag has a double seam on all sides. We use four rows of stitching on the flying end.

Step 1- Image processing

We will first process your file, in order to put it in the right proportion and comply with our production requirements. We will e-mail you a mock-up for final approval.

Step 2 – Printing

Once we have received your approval, we will proceed to print your file onto the chosen fabric.

Printing process

• Screened print if the quantity is large and the image to be reproduced is composed of 1 or 2 colors.
• Digital print if the quantity is smaller and the image is more complex.

Step 3- Fixation of dyes

Dyes used for printing must be applied using steam in order to properly penetrate the fabric and give the chosen colours a rich and vibrant feel.

Step 4 – Wash

The fabric must be washed to remove the excess dye that has not set in the fiber. It will then be dried and pressed.

Step  5 – Cut and seam

The fabric used is larger than the finished flag. Therefore, the excess fabric will be cut off and the flag will be sewn based on your requirements.

Step 6 – Packaging

The flag will be individually wrapped in a plastic bag.

Several types of finishes can be applied to a flag.

First, we sew the flag along all the edges with a very resistant polyester thread.

4 types of finishes are available:

Etendard determines the most appropriate printing technique depending on the quantity of parts to be printed and the image quality sought by its customers:

• We use digital printing for small quantities of a simple or complex visual with very good image quality.
• Simple visuals in large quantities are more often done using screen-printing.
• Textile sublimation is a thermal ink transfer technique used on polyester fabric.
• From a digital printer, the logo is reproduced on a transfer paper. Using a press and under the effect of heat and pressure, the ink gasifies and penetrates into the polyester fabric. Sublimation makes it possible to print images of all kinds with precision and with great brilliance. Flame retardant fabrics are plentiful and offer many possibilities to meet customer demands.
• Products offered: tablecloth, satin banner, promotional tent, roll up, etc.

The inks used by Etendard to print on nylon or polyester pass through the fabric. This results in a legible impression on one side and a mirror effect on the other.

The only way to remedy this problem is to put two pieces of fabric printed back to back and add an opaque fabric between these pieces.

Although this practice is sometimes used, Etendard believes that this process is not particularly beneficial because not only is it more expensive, but it also makes the flag heavier thus reducing its lifespan.

Our Softwares:

• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe InDesign

Our readers:

• USB Key and memory card
• CD and DVD

• (Via email, WeTransfer, or FTP)

Adobe Illustrator:

• Create a vector file.
•  Save all files in .eps or .AI format.
•  The file must contain all Pantone colours.
• Convert all fonts to curves (create outlines) or provide the fonts included in the document.

Adobe Photoshop:

• All images must be at the correct resolution, 120 dpi at full size.
• Preferably, do not flatten the images in order to maintain the levels of the image (layers).
•  Provide a color sample as well as the Pantone colours involved.
•  It is important to submit files with the correct proportions.
•  Compress the file with Stuffit or WinZip to facilitate transmission over the Internet.

The polyester thread used by the Etendard to sew flags and other related products is a preshrunk, ultraviolet resistant thread.

Colored threads may be used to make the seam less visible and give the product a flawless finish.

Etendard works tirelessly to ensure the durability of its flags and other related product lines.

From this perspective, the sewing techniques used are decisive. This is why, for several years, the specialists at Etendard have been experimenting, developing and testing those which provide the best result.

To make the flags, we use dyes that are resistant to ultraviolet rays. These highly specialized colorants require special expertise in order to achieve flawless results with rich, brilliant colours.

We use acid dyes for nylon and disperse dyes for polyester. These dyes are steamed in order to properly penetrate the fabric. Washing is required to remove excess dye.

To fabricate flags (and other derived products), the Etendard uses 70, 200 or 210-denier nylon. Some are therefore silkier, heavier or thicker.

The Canadian Government and the provinces use 70-denier nylon, which is particularly silky and light, while the United States opt for a 200-denier nylon, which is heavier and more durable, but requires more wind to float.

The denier is a unit used to measure the weight in grams of a thread over a length of 9,000 m (± 29,529 ft.). For example, 20 denier means that 9000 m of thread weighs 20 g (± 0.70 oz.).

Public institutions must lower the flag at half-mast when the government declares national mourning.

The Québec flag regulation stipulates that the Executive Council decides on the half-masting.

Very strict standards govern the format of official flags.

As an example, here are the proportions applicable to the official flags of the Canadian Provinces.

The durability of the flags manufactured by Etendard is always kept in mind, which results in research and mastery of the most recent technologies and innovative materials.

Environmental factors and the intended use of the flag play a major role in its lifespan.

In general, the Etendard estimates that a flag exposed to normal conditions and properly handled will begin to show its first signs of deterioration after five to six months of use. These signs will get worse over weeks or months.